Electric iron



E.- WITZEL ELECTRIC IRON Oct. 25, 1949.

Original Filed Sept. 4, 1945 JIYVENTOR. W

Patented Oct. 25, 1949 `UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE assignments, to Milsteei Products Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application September 4, 1945, Serial No. 614,166, now Patent No. 2,418,285, dated April Divided and this application November 12, 1946, Serial No. 709,264

2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of fabricating household appliances, and relates more specically to improvements in the construction and operation of electrically heated iat irons or the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved so-called electric fiat iron which is simple and durable in construction and highly efficient in operation.

Many different types and styles of electrically heated pressing irons have heretofore been proposed and some 'of them have been sold and used quite extensively, but all of these prior devices are objectionable for diverse reasons. Some of the prior electric irons are relatively complicated and cumbersome thus making them difficult to operate and to manipulate; While others fail to provide for convenient access to internal parts, and are also dangerous to the user and as a fire hazard. Still others of the prior electrically heated iron assemblages are costly to manufacture and diiiicult to assemble; while still others do not clearly expose the work to the vision of the operator. All of the previous household electric ilat irons are therefore objectionable for one or more of the above-mentioned speciiic reasons; and most of the prior electric irons wherein the conductor cords are permanently attached to the iron, are furthermore objectionable due to rapid deterioration and breakage of the wires.

It is therefore a more specific object of this invention to provide an improved electric iron assemblage which obviates all of the above-mentioned objectionable features, and which may be readily manufactured, conveniently assembled or dismantled, and safely manipulated.

Another specic object of the present invention is to provide improved mechanism for effecting rapid and safe adjustment of the heat in an electrically heated fiat iron, which mechanism may also be readily assembled or dismantled.

A further specific object of my invention is to provide an improved electric sadiron composed of relatively few sturdy parts which are normally rigidly united, but which may also be quickly and easily disconnected so as to expose normally concealed mechanisms.

Another specic object of my invention is to provide a simple ironing assemblage which may be manufactured and sold at moderate cost, and which is easily operable and safely manipulable by a novice.

These and other specic objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description; and the present application is a division of Patent 2,418,285, dated April 1, 1947.

A clear conception of the several features constituting my present improvement, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing electric lill fil)

irons built in accordance with the invention', may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specication wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. l is a top view of the improved electrically heated iiat iron;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical section through the 'typical electric iron of .Fig l; and

Fig. 3 is a slightly enlarged transverse vertical section taken through the front heat adjusting mechanism of the improved iron assemblage.

Although the invention has been shown and described herein as being especially applicable to a typical electrically heated household type of fiat iron, it is not my desire or intent to unnecessarily restrict the utility of the improved features by virtue of this specic and limited disclosure, and it is also my intention that specific terms used herein be given the broadest possible meaning and interpretation consistent with the prior art.

Referring to the drawings, the typical electrically heated at iron shown therein, comprises in general a shoe or sole plate l having a heating coil 8 embedded directly therein adjacent to its work engaging lower face 9; a thermostatically controlled heat regulating switch iii firmly but detachably mounted upon the upper medial portion of the sole plate 'i by means oi: one or more screws ll; a mound shaped hollow sheet-metal body l2 having a lower rim I3 coacting with the upper peripheral portion of the sole plate l, and being provided with an inner central bracket or strap ill the lower central portion of which has an integral tapered ferrule l5 coacting with a lug i5 formed integral with the sole plate l; an elongated body and sole plate uniting screw rod Il normally conned within a central recess I8 formed in the top of the sole plate l, and having a reduced threaded end i9 coactable with the ferrule l 5 and lug i; a heat insulated manipulating handle 2d having a medial grip portion 2|, a lateral thumb rest 22, and an integral downwardly projecting rear iron supporting and contact housing wall 23, and also being provided with lower bosses 2li adapted for attachment to the top of the body l2 with the aid of normally concealed screws 25; a heat adjusting wheel or dial 2t rotatably suspended within the front portion of the handle 253 and being cooperable with the thermostat of the switch lil through a stem 2'! and a bifurcated or pronged element 28; and a terminal connecting assemblage 29 mounted upon the rear portion of the sole plate 'l within the rear of the handle 2B, and cooperating with electrical conductors 39 penetrating the handle through a resilient laterally and upwardly extending bushing 3l.

The shoe or sole plate 'I is relatively pointed at its forward end, widest at its medial portion, and converges toward its rear end, and may be formed of cast metal With the electrically energized heating coil 8 embedded directly therein during the casting operation. The periphery of this sole plate 'I also preferably tapers downwardly and outwardly in order to provide a smooth lower work engaging face S of maximum area; and the lower rim I3 of the casing or body I2 may be caused to coact with local nibs or projections formed on the sole plate 1 in order to facilitate firm clamping of the body to the sole plate with the aid of the single central clamping rod I1. The upper surface of the sole plate 1 is also provided with a rigid top plate 33 formed of heat insulating material and secured to the shoe in any suitable manner, and this plate 33 spans the rod confining recess i8 but is cut away in the locality of the thermostatic switch I0.

The switch and terminal housing and handle f.

supporting casing or body I2 is formed of relatively thin and light but durable sheet-metal, and may be readily produced with the aid of punches and dies, and the inner attaching strap I4 may also be formed of sheet-metal and is rigidly secured to the upper inner medial portion of the body I2 as by welding or riveting. The tapered ferrule I5 which is formed integral with the lower extremity of the strap I4, is formed to snugly engage a similarly tapered socket in the sole plate i1 is snugly rotatably coniined within the sole i;

plate recess I8 beneath the plate 33, and the front end I9 of the rod I1 is of reduced diameter and has screw thread coaction with the lug IG, strap ferrule I5 and sole plate, so that the lower rim I3 of the casing body I2 may be readily firmly clamped against the local sole plate nibs as by merely app-lying a screw driver to the slotted outer end of the rod I1 and screwing the threaded end IS thereof into the boss IG through the ferrule I5. The electrical thermostat or switch and other mechanism may thus be effectively confined within the space between the sole plate 1 and body I2, but the body may be just as easily removed to permit access to the normally conned structure.

The manipulating handle 28 is preferably iormed of plastic, wood or other suitable heat insulating material which will not readily conduct excessive heat to the grip and thumb portions 2 I, 22, and the iront or the handle is provided with a relatively deep recess within which the dial is normally disposed, while the rear wall 23 which is formed integral with the handle 28 also provides a deep recess within which the electrical connections are normally confined. The attaching bosses 24 are likewise formed integral with the handle 2d, and there are three of these bosses 24, each of which is provided with a metallic screw threaded socket with which the handle attaching screws 25 coact. The handle 20 may obviously be firmly secured to the upper portion of the sheet metal body I2 with the aid of the screws 25 and sockets 35, but this can be accomplished only when the body I2 has been removed from the sole plate 1, since the heads of the fastening screws 25 are normally totally conned within the body. The handle 2D is also of artistically stream'- lined construction; and the integral rear wall 23 is provided with three iron supporting legs 36 for supporting the iron assemblage when not in use, and is also provided with a rear opening normally closed by a plate 31 which is removably attached to the wall 23 with the aid of screws 38.

The combined thermostat and electric control switch II) may be of any suitable and well known type with which the rotary adjusting stem 21 is ccfoperable to vary the current delivered to the heater or coil 8 in accordance with the requirements for the particular type of fabric which is to be ironed or pressed. This switch I0 itself may be of any suitable type constituting no specific part of my present invention, and as previously indicated, the switch or thermostat is mounted directly upon the sole plate 1 where it will be most sensitive to changes in temperature of the sole plate as created by the heating coil 8. However, the mechanism for effecting adjustment of the thermostatic switch III is an important part of the invention, and the lower screw threaded end 39 of the adjusting stem 21 is cooperable with a fixed internally threaded member 4D and carries a pin 4I which cooperates with the switch Ill in a manner whereby rotation of the stem 21 will move the pin 4I either up or down, and will thereby produce the desired switch and thermostat adjustment, see Fig. 3. The upper extremity 42 of the stem 21 is serrated for coaction with internal serrations within the hub of the biiurcated or forked element 28, so that the element 28 may be applied to the stem end 42 in various angular positions, and the element 28 is applicable to the stem externally of the main casing body I2.

The adjusting wheel or dial 26 has calibration markings for the various types of fabrics, on its upper face, and has a serrated periphery projecting outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the front portion of lthe hand-le 28, Ias clearly shown in Fig. 1. This ladjustable indicating dial 26 is rotatably suspended from within the handle 20 by means of an inverted screw 43 coasting with a socket 44 embedded in the handle and coacting with a central Ibore of the dial, and the dial 26 is also provided with several eccentric holes 45 with which the -prongs or tines of the biflurcated element 28 `are loosely 'cooperabla see Figs. 2 and 3. A helical spring 46 may be interposed between the dial 2-6 and the hub of the element 28 in order to maintain the latter upon the Stem end 42 and to eliminate 4looseness of parts and the assemblage is obviously such that when the dial 26 is rotated upon its bearing screw 43, in either direction, rotary motion will be transmitted through the connecting element 28 to the stem 21 and this vstem will coact with the screw threads of the xed member 4D so as to 4move the `pin 4I up or down, thereby effecting the desired adjustment of the pre-set thermostatic switch I0.

The switch IU is connected in series with the electric heating coil 8 by means lof conductors 34 and the terminal assembly 23 associated with the rear portion of the sole plate 1, and lthis assembly 23 comprises a pair of terminal attaching plates 41 secured to insulating blocks 48 resting upon the sole -plate 1, as indicated in Fig. 2. The opposite ends of the heating coil 8 are connected to ithe terminal plates 41 in series with the switch I0 in an -obvious manner, and the current conductors or wires 30 are attachable to the plates 41 by means of screws 4S. These attaching screws 49 are freely accessible through the opening in the rear wall 23 of the handle 20 upon removal of the closure plate 31 and screws 38, and the conductors 30 may be snugly confined within an elbow conduit 50 detachably secured to the inner end of the flexible elongated bushing 3|. The bushing 3| is preferably formed relatively long and of rather stiff but flexible material so that it may be inserted in [the .handle through the rear deep recess thereof, and will eliminate sharp kinks or curves in the :conductor cord or wires 39.

When assembling the improved electric flat iron, after the various parts have been properly constructed, lthe insulating plate 33 and thermo- Istatic switch Il! may be readily attached to the sole plate l in an obvious manner, and the switch should be initially set to operate properly for predetermined variations in temperature to which the thermostat may be subjected. The bushing 3l and lwires 39 should also be initially applied to the handle 29. The `dial 26 may then be applied within and mounted upon the handle 29 with the aid of the screw 43, and the bifurcalted element 26 and :spring 46 should then be applied to the dial 26 with the prongs of the element 28 loosely but slidably engaging the holes 45. The casing l2 should thereafter be attached to the handle 29 with the laid of the screws 25 so as to hold the dial 26, element 28, and spring 46 in assembled condition. The thermostat of the switch should then be placed in off position, and the dial 26 should also be held by the assemfbler in off position, whereupon the serrated upper end 42 of the stem 2l which is mounted upon fthe sole plate 1, may be passed through the upper front opening in the casing or body l2, and slipped into the internally serrated hub of the element 28 to provide e, positive driving connection between the dial 26 and the stem 2l'. The sole plate 'I may then be finally secured to the body I2 with the aid of the clamping rod I1 in order to conceal the switch i9, and since the bushing 3| and the conducting wires 39 have been properly applied to the handle 29, the conducting wires may be secured to the terminal plates il? either before the casing l2 is clamped to the sole plate 1, or through the opening in the rear wall 23 of the handle with the aid of the screws 49. The iron assembly may thus be readily assembled, but it may also be just as conveniently dismantled.

During normal operation of the improved electric iron, the operatormay grip the handle portion 2l and may rest his `or her thumb upon :the thumb plate 22. The operator may also conveniently adjust the wheel or dial 26 so as to insure proper heating of the sole plate l to temperatures corresponding to the work to be done, and this wheel or dial 26 may be quickly adjusted to entirely disconnect the current. 1f the operator desires to discontinue the use of the iron, he or she may rest the same upon the rear legs 36 of the handle 29, thus suspending the sole plate 'l in mid air and eliminating necessity of providing a special insulated support for the iron.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that my present invention provides an improved electrically heated iron which besides being simple and durable in construction is highly effective in normal use and may be readily assembled or dismantled. The improved mechanism for eecting adjustment of the thermostatic switch l0, is conveniently operable by virtue of the location of the control dial within easy reach of the thumb and foreiinger of the operator, and is also plainly visible at all times. The adjusting dial is out of direct contact with the thermostat adjusting stem, thereby eliminating excessive heating of the dial, and the bifurcated connecting element 28 obviously prevents strain from being placed upon the dial 2S and stem 2l due to possible misalignment of parts. The independent mounting of the dial within a handle 29, avoids excessive friction and facilitates movement of the dial during adjustment thereof, and no set screws are required for proper positioning of the adjusting dial. The one-piece dial can be readily inserted within and attached to the handle and the serrated periphery of this dial further enhances the ease of adjustment. It is also unnecessary to remove the dial from the handle when replacing or repairing the thermostatic switch, and the adjusting assemblage is therefore extremely simple and readily manipulable.

The entire assemblage is obviously highly aesthetic in appearance and conveniently manipulable and can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost because of the avoidance of complicated structure and mechanism. It should, however, be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A flat iron comprising, a sole plate having an electric heater associated therewith, a thermostatic control switch for said heater carried by said sole plate, a hollow body normally concealing said switch, a manipulating handle secured to said body, and adjusting mechanism for said switch including a dial journalled for rotation in said handle, a longitudinally movable stem rotatably supported from said switch, and a motion transmitting bifurcated element having a prong slip-:litted within an eccentric hole in said dial and also having a central hub angularly adjustably attached to said stem.

2. A nat iron comprising, a sole plate having an electric heater associated therewith, a thermostatic control switch for said heater carried by said sole plate, a hollow body normally concealing said switch, a manipulating handle secured to said body, and adjusting mechanism for said switch including a dial journalled for rotation in said handle, a longitudinally movable stem rotatably supported from said switch, a motion transmitting bifurcated element having a prong slip-fitted within an eccentric hole in said dial and also having a central hub angularly adjustably attached to said stem, and a spring interposed between said dial and said element for normally maintaining said element upon said stem.

ERNST WITZEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,916,673 Kuhn et al. July 4, 1933 2,258,639 Barnes Oct. 14, 1941 2,333,521 Clark et al Nov. 2, 1943 2,353,151 Elsenheimer July 11, 1944 2,370,146 Clark Feb. 27, 1945 

